Front chassis assembly for time delay or interval timers



" June 23, 1970 F, J, PAPA, JR 3,516,244

FRONT G HASS IS ASSEMBLY FOR TIME DELAY OR INTERVAL TIMERS Filed June17, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FRANK J. PAPA,JR.

ATTORNEY F. J. PAPA, JR

Jmie 23, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1968 8 B7 J m w m "S m w9v a L 6 a 1 E T; M w o 5 B F & a F 2 FRANK J. PAIPA,JR.,

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,516,244 FRONT CHASSIS ASSEMBLY FOR TIMEDELAY OR INTERVAL TIMERS Frank J. Papa, Jr., Montville, N.J., assignorto Industrial Timer Corporation, Parsippany, N.J., a corporation ofDelaware Filed June 17, 1968, Ser. No. 737,495 Int. Cl. G04f 3/04, 3/08;G04b 37/00 U.S. Cl. 58-223 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Frontchassis assembly for a time delay or interval timer including a chassisplate having a bushing therein protruding from the front side of theplate, a dial mounted on the front side of the plate coacting with anindicator carried on an indicator shaft rotatably mounted in thebushing, a time period selector rotatably mounted on the bushing havinga pointer portion and stop coacting with the timing pointer to set thetimer, and a frictionally mounted knob adjusting assembly drivinglyconnected to the selector pointer to adjust its position on the dial.

This invention relates in general to timers, and more particularly to afront chassis assembly for a time delay or interval timer having animproved time setting mechanism, and still more particularly to a frontchassis assembly for a time delay timer including a meter face that maybe panel mounted where the time period may be knob adjustable.

The timer front chassis assembly of the present invention includes azinc die cast chassis and plastic molded parts resulting in lowermaterial costs and ease of assembly. The assembly may be panel mountedand presents a modern appearance with a meter face. An improved timesetting mechanism includes a selector that enables precise selection ofthe time delay and coacts with the dial pointer. The selector isprovided with a Vernier adjustment to enhance the preciseness of thetime delay in choosing the delay. A frictional mounting for the selectorassures holding of a selection after it has been made. Coaction betweenthe timing pointer and the selector is such to assure that the actualtime delay coincides exactly with the chosen time delay by the selector.A friction knob is provided with the selector to protect the timesetting mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved timer front chassis assembly having an improved time settingmechanism.

Another object of this invention is in the provision of a timer frontchassis assembly having a modern appearance with a meter face andcapable of being panel mounted.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of atimer front chassis assembly that may be inexpensively made with a zincdie cast chassis and plastic parts.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals referto like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View of the timer front chassis assemblyof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the chassis assemy;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the chassis assembly;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the chassis assembly with theshield and knob assembly removed to show underlying parts;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view, partially fragmentary, of the shieldand knob assembly as removed from the chassis;

FIG. 6 is an exploded side elevational view of the chassis assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through the assembly;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged and fragmentary view of the pointer attaching huband illustrating its mounted position on the indicator shaft with theretaining screw removed; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded side elevational view of the friction knobemployed in the timer of the invention, and illustrating the knobpartially in section for purposes of clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, the timer front chassis assembly of thepresent invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown incompletely assembled relationship in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, and is adapted tobe employed with a suitable time-motion-transmitting mechanism. Ingeneral, the front chassis assembly include a chassis assembly or plate11, a dial 12 secured to one side of the chassis plate 11, a transparentshield 13 covering the dial and secured to the chassis plate, a knob ortiming ad justment assembly 14 mounted on the siheld 13, a pointerassembly 15 to be drivingly connected to a time-motiontransmittingmechanism, and a time cycle selector assembly 16.

The chassis plate 11 is Zinc die cast and includes a front side or face17 and a back side or face 18. A pair of locating lugs 19 are providedon the front face 17 to coact with cutout portions 20 of the dial 12locating the dial properly on the front face of the chassis plate. Drivescrews 21 secure the dial to the chassis plate. The front face of thedial 12 is preferably white enameled with indicia 22 that includes blackgraduated markings and numerals thereon. The indicia is arcuatelyarranged along an arc of about A bushing 23 is suitably press fittedinto an opening in the chassis plate 11 to define a sleeve bearing 24for rotatably receiving an indicator shaft 25. A flange 26 is providedon the bushing to properly seat the bushing in the chassis plate. Anexternal bearing surface or stub shaft 27 is provided on the bushing atthe front face 17 of the chassis plate for rotatably mounting theselector 28 of the time cycle selector assembly 16 for coaction with thedial. Spacing and mounting studs 29 extend from the back face 18 of thechassis plate 11 to suitably mount the entire chassis assembly to apanel. An annular recess 30 is provided in the back face 18 forreceiving a gasket to enable sealing relation between the timer housingsleeve and the chassis plate.

The indicator shaft 25 includes a radial flange 31 that bears againstthe rear end of the bushing 23 when mounted in the bushing as seen inFIG. 7, a forward portion 32 that is bearingly received in the bushingsleeve bearing 26, and a rear portion 33. At the very terminal end ofthe forward portion 32, the shaft is fiatted at 34 to define a malecoupling portion matable with a female coupling portion in the form ofan opening or socket provided in the hub 35 of the pointer 36 (FIG. 8).Thus, the pointer 36 of the pointer assembly 15 is locked onto theindicator shaft 25 for rotation therewith, and a retainer screw 37operates to retain the pointer on the shaft.

Timing power is applied to the indicator shaft 25 through a quadrantadjustment 38 that is adjustably secured to the rear portion 33. Thequadrant adjustment 38 is a molded plastic part with a metal insert 39suitably threaded to receive one or more set screws 40 for adjustablylocking the quadrant adjustment to the indicator shaft 25. The insert 39is suitably press fitted or staked in the molded plastic portion of thequadrant adjustment. A segmental gear 41 is formed on the quadrantadjustment v38 for engagement with a pinion gear of the timing drive. Adiametrically reduced portion 42 longitudinally split at 43 serves as aspool for a spiral spring 44 which has one end engaging in a slot 43 andthe other end looped and attached to a lug 45 (FIG. 3) protruding fromthe back face 18 of the chassis plate 11. The spring is arranged todrive the indicator shaft and pointer 36 in a counterclockwise directionas shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A spring retaining Washer 46 is fitted overthe end of the indicator shaft rear portion 33 and held in place by anE-ring 47 which engages in a slot 48 formed on the indicator shaft.

The selector 28 includes a bore 49 bearingly received on the stub shaft27, a pointer portion 50, a stop 51 for the pointer 36, and an internalgear segment 52. The selector 28 is molded of plastic, and held onto thebearing portion 27 by a self-locking retaining washer 53. A Mylar washer54 is provided between the selector 28 and the washer 53. The selector28 is spring loaded, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS.1 and 4, by a wire spring 55 bottomed at one end at the selector and atthe other end on the chassis plate 11. The planar relationship betweenthe pointer portion 50 of the selector 28 and the pointer 36 is suchthat when the pointer 36 abuts against the stop 51 it aligns with thepointer portion 50 in a plane normal to the dial. This assures that whenthe selector is adjusted to a particular time cycle, the pointer of thetimer will start from that adjusted point. Following a time cycle of thetimer, the spring 44 returns the pointer 36 to the home position ofselector stop 51.

The knob or timing adjustment assembly 14 includes a molded plasticVernier adjustment or shaft 56 having a threaded portion 57, a radialflange 58 at one end of the threaded portion, a diametrically reducedportion 59 at the other end of the threaded portion, a pinion gearportion 60 adjacent the flange 58, and a stub shaft 61 at the terminalend of the pinion gear 60. The pinion gear 60 meshes with the internalsegmental gear 52 of the selector when the unit is assembled.

The Vernier adjustment or shaft 56 is frictionally and rotatably mountedon the transparent shield 13 at the lower central portion thereof,whereby the threaded portion 57 is bearingly received in a bore 62formed in the front face of the shield. A washer 63 is first appliedover the threaded portion 57 and against the flange 58 when assemblingthe Vernier adjustment with respect to the shield. Following theinsertion of the shaft through the shield bore, a friction washer 64sandwiched between plain washers 65 and 66 is applied over the threadedportion 57 at the outer surface of the shield. The shaft is frictionallymounted to the shield by applying a locking nut 67 onto the threadedportion 57 until the desired compression of the friction washer 64 isobtained, whereby the shaft will hold in any set position. A setscrew 68is provided in the locking nut 67 to lock the locking nut in place. Thefrictional engagement is such that reset impact of the timer pointer 36will not change the timing selection of selector 28. The spring 55functions to take up any slack that might exist in the gear train andtherefore act as an antibacklash between the gear segment 52 and thepinion gear 60. When in assembled relation, the stub shaft 61 isbearingly received in a recess 69 formed in the front face of thechassis plate 11 to properly support the knob shaft 56 and maintain thepinion gear in proper engagement with the segmental gear.

A knob assembly 70 is mounted on the diametrically reduced portion 59 ofthe Vernier adjustment or shaft 56 so that there is a friction couplingbetween the knob assembly 70 and the 'vernier adjustment to protect thetime setting mechanism. As seen in FIG. 9, the knob assembly includes amolded plastic knob 71 having a blind bore 72 terminating in a bottomwall 73. The knob assembly also includes a plurality of friction Washers74 sandwiched between opposed plain washers 75, wherein the plain washerengages against the bottom 73 of the knob 71. A bushing 76 bears againstthe outer plain washer within the bore 72 and is provided with asetscrew 77 alignable with a radial opening 77a in the knob andengageable with the diametrically reduced portion 59 of the Vernieradjustment to lock the bushing thereto. Another plain Washer 7 8 isprovided on the outside of the bushing 76 and the parts are held inplace within the bore 72 by an insert 79 that is suitably staked orotherwise secured in place within the bore 72. Thus, the bushing 76 isfrictionally held or coupled to the knob 71, and when secured to theknob shaft 56 provides a friction coupling therewith.

The transparent shield 13 is molded butyrate and includes a front wall80, a rearwardly extending peripheral wall 81 and a peripheral lip 82 onthe wall 81. A gasket 83 is arranged between the shield and the chassisplate 11 to seal the unit and make it dustand oil-proof. An aluminumring or band 84 having a forward lip 85 is applied over the shield andchassis plate periphery whereby the lip 85 engages against the shieldlip 82. The rear edge 86 of the band 84 is rolled or spun over the rearface of the chassis plate to lock the band in place as well as lock theshield in sealed relationship with the chassis plate. Mounting the band84 also aflixes in position the knob or timing adjustment assembly 14 sothat the pinion gear 60 engages the internal segment gear 52 therebydrivingly connecting the knob assembly 70 with the selector 28. As seenparticularly in FIGS. 1 and 5, the back side of the shield is paintedblack at 87 to conceal the working parts of the Vernier gear arrangementand present a more pleasing appearance.

In operation, setting of the timer is accomplished by turning of theknob assembly 70 in the direction to drive the selector to thecalibrated position along the dial, thereby carrying the timing pointer36 by virtue of its engagement with the selector stop. Thereafter, energization of the timer will cause the pointer to move towards zero todefine the designated time delay. At the end of a time delay period, thepointer returns to the selector stop under the power of return spring44. By virtue of the gear drive between the knob assembly 70 and theselector 28, a vernier movement is provided to enable accurate settingof the selector. At least as many teeth are provided on the internalsegmental gear 52 as on the pinion gear 60. Preferably more teeth areprovided on the segmental gear than on the pinion gear. For theillustrated embodiment, although not shown on the drawings, the piniongear would have ten teeth and the segmental gear would have thirteenthteeth, whereby slightly more than one revolution of the shaft 56 isnecessary to move the selector pointer through the about 90 arc of theindicia.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A front chassis assembly for a time delay timer comprising, a chassisplate having front and back sides, a bushing in said plate protrudingfrom the front side, a dial mounted on the front side of said plate, anindicator shaft rotatably mounted in said bushing and extending fromopposite sides of said plate, a pointer secured to said shaft at thefront side of the plate and coacting with said dial, a selectorrotatably mounted on said bushing at the front side of the plate havinga pointer portion coacting with said dial to set the timer, an internalsegmental gear portion and a stop portion for said pointer, atransparent shield mounted over the front side of the chassis, and aknob adjusting assembly frictionally and rotationally supported on saidshield and having a spur gear for engagement with said selector gearportion to define a vernier timing adjustment.

2. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 1, and a transparentshield over the dial and front side of the chassis plate enclosing saidselector and pointer.

3. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 1, means spring loadingsaid selector.

4. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 3, and means springloading said pointer toward said selector stop portion.

5. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said knobadjusting assembly includes a knob shaft having the spur gear on one endand a knob assembly on the other end.

6. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 5, and said knobassembly including means frictionally connecting same to said knobshaft.

7. A front chassis assembly for a time delay timer comprising, a chassisplate having front and back sides, a bushing in said plate extendingfrom the back side and protruding from the front side thereby defining asleeve bearing through the plate and a stub shaft at the front side, adial mounted on the front side of the plate having arcuately arrangedindicia along about a 90 are, an indicator shaft rotatably mounted insaid bushing sleeve bearing and extending from opposite sides of saidbushing, a pointer secured to said indicator shaft at the front side ofthe plate and coacting with said dial, a timing cycle selector rotatablymounted on the bushing stub shaft at the front side of the plate, saidselector including a pointer portion coacting with said dial, a stopportion for said pointer and a segmental internal gear, a transparentshield mounted on said chassis plate covering the front side thereoftogether with the dial, pointer and selector, and a selector drive shaftfrictionally and rotationally mounted on said shield and having a piniongear in engagement with said selector segmental gear, the gear ratiobetween the pinion gear and selector segmental gear defining a verniermovement between the selector drive shaft and selector, whereby aboutone revolution of the selector drive shaft will cause traversing of theselector pointer portion along substantially the entire dial indicia.

8. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said selectorsegmental gear includes thirteen teeth and said pinion gear includes tenteeth.

9. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 8, and a gear mounted onsaid indicator shaft at the back side of said chassis plate.

10. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 9, and spring meansdriving said indicator shaft and pointer toward the selector stopportion.

11. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 10, and means springloading said selector.

12. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein saidSelector segmental gear includes at least as many teeth as said piniongear.

13. A front chassis assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein saidselector segmental gear includes more teeth than said pinion gear.

14. A front chassis assembly for a time delay timer comprising, achassis plate having front and back sides, a bushing in said plateprotruding from the front side, a dial mounted on the front side of saidplate, an indicator shaft rotatably mounted in said bushing andextending from opposite sides of said plate, a pointer secured to saidshaft at the front side of the plate and coacting with said dial, aselector rotatably mounted on said bushing at the front side of theplate having a pointer portion coacting with said dial to set the timer,and a stop portion for said pointer, a transparent shield mounted oversaid front side of the chassis, a knob adjusting assembly supported onsaid shield and drivingly connected to said selector pointer portion tocontrol movement thereof, said knob adjusting assembly including a knobshaft frictionally and rotatably mounted on said shield and extendingfrom both sides thereof, means on the knob shaft for drivinglyconnecting to said selector, means on the knob shaft for mounting a knobthereon, and a knob mounted on said knob shaft having means forproviding a frictional connection to said knob shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,255 7/1933 Porter 58-22.91,919,256 7/1933 Porter 5822.9 2,163,419 6/1939 Warren 58-395 RICHARD B.WILKINSON, Primary Examiner J. F. GONZALES, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl.X.R. 5839.5, 53

